supercell_composite

metpy.calc.supercell_composite(mucape, effective_storm_helicity, effective_shear)[source]

Calculate the supercell composite parameter.

The supercell composite parameter is designed to identify environments favorable for the development of supercells, and is calculated using the formula developed by [Thompson2004]:

SCP = (mucape / 1000 J/kg) * (effective_storm_helicity / 50 m^2/s^2) *
(effective_shear / 20 m/s)

The effective_shear term is set to zero below 10 m/s and capped at 1 when effective_shear exceeds 20 m/s.

Parameters:
  • mucape (pint.Quantity) – Most-unstable CAPE
  • effective_storm_helicity (pint.Quantity) – Effective-layer storm-relative helicity
  • effective_shear (pint.Quantity) – Effective bulk shear
Returns:

array-like – supercell composite